Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-02-11
COYNE CONVICTED.
He Gets Two Years and Six Months
i'm the Pen
A sealed Verdict Returned Yester-
day AfternOOn---A BibuIOus Port
Byron Juror Fined S25--The I'm
maculate Beardsiey gets a similar
Dose
ON THE ANXIOUS SEAT

ON THE ANXIOUS SEAT.
Public opinion appeared to be pretty
evenly divided as to the sealed verdict re-
turned By the jury in the Coyne suborn-
alton of perjury case last night. Many
thought that owing to the short time the
jury deliberated-about an hour-that
the verdict was favorable to the defend
ant, while others used the same argument
to sustain the belief that the verdict was
guilty The interest 10 the result of
this case being so great, it was not sur
prising to see the court room packed this
morning on the opening of court. The
jurymen were all in their places with the
exception of Stephen j. Allen, Of Port
Byron, and there was degree of mystery
about his absence that was not explained
at first. But 1t gradually leaked cut that
Allen was not exactly hlmself-that he
had been indulging freely in the flowing
bowl, and was hardlyIn condition to ap-
pear in tie jury box, After waiting
until 10 O'Clock for the absentee Judge
Smith allowed the jury recess until
quarter to IL. which he thought was
sufficient time for the tipsy juror to sober
up. Bailff Carey took charge of Alien,
and peramoulated with him in the open
air thinking it the quickest and surest
way of clearing his befogged BRAN.
TWO YEARS AND a HALF.
Juror Allen was sufficiently braced up
at II 80 to enter the jury box, and Fore
man Edwards read the verdict, which
was that the defendant was found guilty in
the manner as charged IN the Indictment,
and sentenced hin to two years and
half in the penitentiary. Coyne received
the verdict unfiiuchlngly and was sppar>
emily anticipating it. but his brother was
considerably affected. Judge Smith fixed
Coyne's bail at S., 900, and be was taken
IN charge by Sheriff Silvis, bu. not locked
up, as he desired to secure bail if possi>
bic. His attorneys viii enter motion
for new trial in day or two, and if it
is not granted will probably take an ap>
peal.
TIE COURT INyEsTIGATEs
Judge Smith then proceeded to inves>
tigate the cause for Juror Aliens abs
sence at the opening of court. and after
questioning him for few minutes, had
| him put unders oath and then turned
him over to States Attorney Entrlkin,
/ who proceeded to Catechise him pretty
closely as to his whereabouts condition.
etc, last night aud this morning. The
testimony was quite amusing at times,
but the seriousness of the case
prevented any levity. Allen admit
ted TO drinking some, but said
he was capable of coming IN court. and
giving an impartial verdict. He had
gone to bed about II clock with VIM.
Kelley, another Juror, over Gordon's
restaurant About a. H. he woke up
and found Major Beardsley, counsel for
the defense, in his room talking with
Kelley. Sensation in the court. and
Beerdsey on his feet IN an instant |
Beardsley-"Your honor, l will ex-
plain -
Court-"Walt until We are through
with the witness"
Beardslcy-"But want TO explain my
reason for being there. 1t has been cir>
culsted around that was trying to pump
the juror, and that is false. simply
Court-"We will hear you after a
while Maj. Beardsleyi We will have to
finish with the witness first
Beardsley relapsed into silence, ana
Enlrikin proceeded with the investiga
ton. Allen stoutly denied that he was
drunk, and also that Major BesrdsIey
had questioned him about the verdict.
In his statement to the court Major
Beardsley stated that he had gone to
Aliens room With only the best Of mo
tives. He had heard that Allen mad been
drinking, and was afraid that he might
not have got safely to bed The spirit OF
kindness prompted him and nothing else.
He would look after the welfare of the
court, the states attorney or the sheriff in
the same way, if il Was necessary. He
didn't think he was doing wrong. bat il
his conduct was censurable he was vii
ling to stand the blame.
Deputy Sheriff Reticker testified that
Allen was very orunk this morning,
when he found him in the old sderif's
office, and that it took the combined eli
forts of himself and several bailiffs 10
work off the effects OF tha liquor.
Judge Smith then proceeded 10 repri-
mand Alien and Beardsley severely.
Their conduct was reprehensible
and inexcusable Allen showed his
contempt for the court 10 getting
drunk while on duty as Juror,
and Besrdsley had violated the explici
orders of the court in visiting AMI talk
ing with juror. He was sorry, bu
would have to fee both $25. Beardsley
thanked the judge for the light fac, and
court adjourned for dinner
This afternoon Coyne secured bonds
Messrs. Henry Carse and David Donald
son acting as surpties and Covne WAS re-.